Wednesday Book Club: cookbooks.

Cookbooks do count for the Summer Reading Program! Here are two I'd recommend:
Best Lunch Box Ever by Katie Sullivan Morford. I love reading a cookbook that makes me want to hop online and read the author's blog from start to finish. This book will do that to you! I try to be all zen when packing my kids' lunches: I'm grateful that they eat a lunch from home, that I know what they're eating, that I can nourish them even when they're at school and I'm at work. But honestly, it does get a little dull (and sometimes frantic). Although this book has some tasty looking recipes, the real value for me was in jump-starting my lunch-planning for the year. As I read, I was able to jot down ideas to try -- and having new things to try, even if it's as simple as peanut sauce for dipping vegetables, makes me look forward to the task a bit more.
I also like to have my kids start the school year by brainstorming a list of lunches they like. They can include anything from main dishes to sides to special drinks, and I keep the list posted on the fridge for last-minute inspiration. The best lunch is one you look forward to eating!
The Family Cooks by Laurie David. I reserved this book at the library several months ago, and was so excited when it arrived just before our vacation. I love to read cookbooks over the summer so I can step up my game when school is in full swing. If you're trying to expand your home-cooking repertoire, or you want information about how to make the most of your shopping trips, or you need some basic cooking advice, this is the book for you.
I love the premise, because I think it's so-so-so important to share meals together as a family, and to make those meals from scratch as much as possible. That's what we try to do in our home! And the book is packed with information on everything from label-reading to roasting vegetables. (Like the lunch box book, lots of inspiration for adding a spring to your step in the kitchen.)
Here's where it didn't work for me: although the recipes themselves are super flexible (including ideas on just about every page for substitutions or getting the kids involved), the overall tone of the book suggested I "should" be doing things a certain way. The fact is, I love to eat organic and to buy meat from compassionate sources. I read labels. I avoid processed foods. But I can't do these things all the time. I'm an artist, and it just isn't in my budget. Reading all those "shoulds" was disconcerting; maybe because I was on vacation, maybe because the author was preaching to the choir. I think the intended audience is people who want to start cooking more at home, so if that's you -- go for it! For me, I'd love a similar book that celebrated my successes and encouraged me to keep at it.
On the other hand, the author has a previous cookbook, and I'm already on the list at the library for that one!